Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) (Crisis Walk In)

OUR MISSION

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. Our partnership model is collaborative and enables hospitals, health jurisdictions, and state/local government agencies to deliver timely, equity-based care to marginalized populations.

Indio Crisis Walk-in Center

WEA’s Crisis Walk-In (CWI) Center, located on the behavioral health campus of Riverside University Health System in Indio, CA, offers 24/7 walk-in, voluntary crisis services for adults and children ages 5 and older. Designed to provide immediate, accessible care, the center serves up to 20 patients at a time, including both youth and adults

Position Summary

The Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) is a key member of the care team within WEA’s Indio Crisis Walk-In Center (CWI), providing direct, compassionate support to youth, adults, and families experiencing behavioral health crises.

Working in a fast-paced, walk-in crisis setting, the LPT supports emotional regulation, symptom stabilization, and patient safety through observation, therapeutic engagement, and collaboration with clinical staff. This role contributes to maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive care environment while assisting with clinical interventions and medication-related support.

The LPT works closely with nurses, behavioral health providers, peer support specialists, and prescribers to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care. This role is ideal for individuals who are calm under pressure, skilled in de-escalation, and committed to supporting individuals through moments of acute distress.

Key Highlights

• Compensation: The compensation range for this role is $33.65–$48.08/ Hourly with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and role scope.
• Work Location & Expectations: This role requires daily in-person engagement at Indio Crisis Walk-in Center location.
• Professional Development: Opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional leaders across Behavioral Health, Medical, Street Medicine, Public Health, Rural Health, and Tribal Health initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Support & Crisis Stabilization

• Provide direct care and continuous support to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms.
• Assist in de-escalation, emotional regulation, and behavior management in collaboration with clinical staff.
• Monitor patient safety and well-being, including behavioral observations, vital signs, and comfort needs.
• Support implementation of stabilization interventions and therapeutic activities.
• Engage youth, adults, and families in supportive, recovery-oriented interactions.
• Encourage family involvement when appropriate to support care and transitions.

2. Medication & Health Support

• Administer prescribed medications in accordance with scope of practice and program protocols.
• Observe and document medication responses, side effects, and changes in condition.
• Collaborate with RNs and prescribers to support safe medication management.
• Support individuals experiencing substance use challenges, including monitoring early withdrawal symptoms and promoting harm-reduction approaches.

3. Milieu & Safety Management

• Help maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment within the crisis setting.
• Conduct routine safety checks and support environmental safety protocols.
• Respond to behavioral escalations using approved de-escalation techniques.
• Assist with crisis interventions and safety planning as directed by clinical staff.

4. Team Collaboration & Care Coordination

• Work closely with RNs, behavioral health providers, peer support specialists, and case managers.
• Participate in team huddles, care planning discussions, and shift coordination.
• Communicate patient status changes and safety concerns promptly to the care team.
• Support transitions of care, including warm handoffs to community providers.

5. Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of observations, interventions, medications, and safety checks.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with patients, families, and team members.
• Support continuity of care through consistent and professional information sharing.

6. Continuous Improvement & Professional Practice

• Participate in ongoing training related to crisis care, de-escalation, and behavioral health support.
• Contribute to a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support site operations.

Key Competencies

• Therapeutic communication and de-escalation.
• Strong observation and situational awareness.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Team collaboration and adaptability.
• Cultural humility and respect for diverse populations.
• Commitment to safety, dignity, and recovery-focused care.

Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted California Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) license.
• Experience providing direct care in behavioral health, psychiatric, or related settings.
• Strong observation, de-escalation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Commitment to patient-centered, recovery-oriented care.
• Willingness to work 12-hour shifts within minimum expectations for daytime, overnight, weekend, and holiday availability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in crisis settings, CWIC, CSU, inpatient psychiatry, ED, or community behavioral health programs.
• Experience working with youth and/or family systems.
• Experience supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
• CPI, MAB, SAMA, or equivalent certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred).
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs).